At the Y’s Before and After School Care programs, kids work, learn and play together – turning classmates into friends. With the Y, kids have a safe place to explore their interests and discover their passions! Kids can get homework help and academic support to complement the school day, unwind with games and physical activities to help end their day on a high note. Boost your child’s confidence by enrolling today!
The Y’s afterschool programs are run by caring adults who are invested in helping every kid reach their full potential. The Y offers high-quality Before and After School Care programs that nurture the whole child with a blend of academic enrichment, play and social-emotional learning. We’re committed to partnering with schools and families to ensure that every child has the support they need to reach their full potential.
Parents will have peace of mind knowing that their child is well supervised in a caring, safe environment while they complete their workday.
Benefits of our School Age Child Care (SACC) Programs
- Caring, Compassionate and Trained Staff
- Safe and Secure Facilities
- Healthy Snack – Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards
- 2 Staff Minimum at All Times
- Homework Help & Academic Enrichment
- STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Activities
- Healthy U/CATCH – 30 minutes of physical activity daily
- Creative and Recreational Games
- Social-Emotional Learning and YMCA Character Development featuring the Y’s Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility
- Fun Activities and Special Events
- After School Care and Before School Care in many local schools throughout Union County
- Half day and Vacation Day programs may be available
We impact our community by nurturing and developing healthy habits in children through supportive staff who assist children in reaching their full potential through experiences and learning in a caring, honest, respectful and responsible atmosphere. Learning together, playing together, we become part of a family that supports fun, friendship and endless possibilities. Enroll your child today!
Elizabeth Branch
135 Madison Avenue
Elizabeth NJ 07201
908-355-9622
Contact: Youth and Family Program Director
Programs In Elizabeth:
- Elmora School # 12
- Abraham Lincoln School # 14
- Madison Monroe School #16
- Robert Morris School # 18
- Antonia Pantoja School #27
Five Points Branch
201 Tucker Avenue
Union NJ 07083
908-688-9622
Contact: School Age Child Care & Day Camp Director
Programs In Union:
- Battle Hill
- Burnet Middle School
- Connecticut Farms
- Five Points Branch Pre-K
- Franklin
- Hannah Caldwell
- Jefferson
- Kawameeh Middle School
- Livingston
- Washington
Rahway Branch
1564 Irving Street
Rahway NJ 07065
732-388-0057
Contact: School Age Child Care & Day Camp Director
Program In Rahway:
- Grover Cleveland
- Franklin
- Madison
- Rahway Branch Pre-K
- Roosevelt
Before and After School Care 2025-2026 Information
Please include an email address that you check regularly when setting up your child’s account with us in order to receive emails directly from the Director throughout the school year. Please sign up for our regular Y email updates to ensure you receive notifications and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GatewayFamilyYMCA
We are very excited to welcome you back to a new school year and would like to share the following information regarding registration.
Before and After School Care registration for the 2025-2026 school year will begin on May 1, 2025 @ 9:30am.
All Elizabeth Branch & Rahway Branch Schools will begin registration on Monday, May 1st @ 9:30am.
Five Points Branch Registration Start Dates for Union Township School District:
- Thursday, May 1st : Burnet Middle School
- Friday, May 2nd: Kawameeh Middle School & Franklin Elementary School
- Monday, May 5th: Jefferson School
- Wednesday, May 7th: Connecticut Farms Elementary School
- Monday, May 12th: Livingston Elementary School
- Wednesday, May 14th: Hannah Caldwell Elementary School
- Monday, May 19th: Battle Hill Elementary School
- Tuesday, May 20th: Washington Elementary School
- Wednesday, May 28th: Preschool 3 (Five Points Branch)
These are the first date you can register for the school your child will be attending in September 2025, but registration will be ongoing. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis and, as a reminder, each school year requires a new registration. Registration is contingent upon receipt of all required paperwork and necessary payments.
Monday, August 25, 2025 is the registration deadline to enable your child to start the first week of school, no exceptions. For children beginning September 8th or later, the deadline to register will be 48 Business Hours before beginning the program (Wednesday for the upcoming Monday).
Early Registration Special
For children who are registered prior to 8/15/25 for Before and/or After School Care and choose to do the auto draft, their September tuition will be charged on 9/5.
If you choose to not enroll in auto draft, your September is due at the time of registration and by the 5th of every month following.
If you enroll after 8/15/25 and choose to do the auto draft, the September tuition is due at the time of registration and your auto draft will be begin on 10/5.
Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year:
- To expediate the process, your online account can be created or updated prior to in-person registration. To complete or update your online account, CLICK HERE.
- Registration must be completed in person at the Elizabeth, Rahway and Five Points (Union) branches of The Gateway Family YMCA.
- A registration packet must be completed at the time of registration. This packet will remain on-site at your child(ren)’s school with program staff.
Please be prepared with the following to complete the online registration paperwork:
- If returning or a current participant, you will need Your/Your Child’s Login and Password for www.tgfymca.org (If you have forgotten your password, please use the “Forgot My Password” tool)
- Your child(ren)’s information, including school, doctor, any medications or medical needs
- Contact information for all authorized drop off/pick up individuals
- Any authorized Pick-Up/Drop-Off contacts who do not have an active YMCA Membership should Join the Y as a Free Community Member. This will enable us to take their photo and verify ID on the first visit to the YMCA. Download the Mobile App to check into the facility on subsequent visits.
Completing the online registration paperwork does NOT register your child for the program, or hold a spot. You must visit the YMCA in person to complete the registration for the new school year.
Please be prepared with the following for in person registration after you have completed the online registration paperwork:
- An Active YMCA Membership for your child is required in order to register. Please JOIN THE Y in advance of registration to expedite the process, or join the Y in person at your branch. Families may choose to upgrade to a family membership by contacting your YMCA branch or completing the membership upgrade form online at any time.
- Any applicable payments (membership, joiners fee, one-time registration fee for new families)
- Automatic Bank/Credit Card Draft payments are required for the Before/After School Care program. Parents must complete the Authorization form at registration. If using a checking account, a voided check is required. If using a credit or debit card, you will need to have the actual card with you at the time of registration. Any exceptions require approval by the Director prior to registration.
- If registering after August 15th, September Payment or First Month Payment will be due in full at the time of registration.
- For current participants that do not participate in the auto draft for the 22-23 school year, the June tuition and outstanding balances will need to be paid prior to registering for next school year.
August 25, 2025 is the registration deadline to enable your child to start the first week of school, no exceptions. For children beginning September 9th or later, the deadline to register will be 48 Business Hours before beginning the program (Wednesday for the upcoming Monday).
Registration is first come, first serve and contingent upon receipt of all required information, payment and paperwork.
Office Hours by Appointment are available for questions, signatures or third-party agreements. Any parent needing payment arrangements must contact the Director prior to registration. Please contact your branch to schedule an Office Hour Appointment.
If you receive any type of subsidy, please reach out to your case worker in advance to make sure your contract is active through the beginning of the school year and all agreements have been completed and provided to the YMCA.
SACC Program Monthly Fees
- After Care Five Days/Week
- Full Member Fee $369
- Basic Member Fee $402
- After Care Three Days/Week
- Full Member Fee $273
- Basic Member Fee $306
- Before Care Program
- Full Member Fee $218
- Basic Member Fee $251
- Middle School After Care (Union)
- Five Days/Week
- Full Member Fee $209
- Basic Member Fee $223
- Three Days/Week
- Full Member Fee $158
- Basic Member Fee $182
- Five Days/Week
Registration Fee: A $25 Registration Fee is required at the time of registration, for new participants
Bank Draft: Automatic Bank/Credit Card Draft payments are required for the Before/After School Care program. Parents must complete the Authorization form at registration. To expedite in person registration, the Draft Authorization Form is available to print below. The deadline to make any changes to a childcare draft will be the 20th of the month for the upcoming draft month.
Online Payments: Any outstanding payments for prior years or programs, must be paid in advance of the new registration in your online account.
Credit Voucher: If your child has a credit voucher available on their account, you will see this as available on the payment screen when making an online payment – Please choose the Apply button (in blue).
Registration Updates: Should you need to update your child’s account after registration, please visit My Family and click Update Form under the appropriate family member. Also, speak with your child’s on-site director about updating the on-site registration form. Both must be up-to-date.
Information is subject to change at any time. We work closely with our local school districts, as well as state and local officials, and follow licensing guidelines for the safety of all.
YMCA Membership: An Active Full Privilege or Basic Program YMCA Membership for your child is required in order to register for SACC Before and/or After School Care programs. Please JOIN THE Y in advance of registration to expedite the process, or join the Y in person at your branch. Families may choose to upgrade to a Full Privilege Family Membership by contacting your YMCA branch or completing the Concierge Membership Upgrade Form online at any time. Let us help you find the best fit for your family!
Information is subject to change at any time. We work closely with our local school districts, as well as state and local officials, and follow licensing guidelines for the safety of all.
Since 1900, The Gateway Family YMCA has been a leading charitable organization, meeting the most pressing needs of our community. We thank you for being a part of our YMCA family.
